MANILA, Philippines -- Computer giant HP is now offering a way for owners to trace stolen notebooks or laptops and remotely destroy data.

This software, dubbed HP PC Trading and Data Security Service, uses Google maps for tracing, according to Darwin Razo, HP market development manager for care pack options and handhelds during the recent HP and Intel Synergy event in Bohol.

HP’s latest innovation in data protection, aims to protect priceless data.

“Your notebook is expensive but your data is priceless,” said Razo, as he stressed the importance of enabling users to protect the confidentiality of their data.

This application intends to reduce corporate liabilities associated with data breaches as well as protecting the stolen notebook’s hardware assets.

This innovation uses the Internet to trace a stolen notebook using Google maps. Thus this requires that the stolen notebook be logged on to the Internet. Once the unit is turned on, the location information is zipped through the user’s email. This prompts the security service to ask for the owner’s registered username and password that would later enable users to destroy data in the stolen notebook.

“With this security service, users can completely delete all the data in their stolen notebooks in 2 to 3 minutes,” Razo said. “However, this could vary according to data size.”

Razo said that by deleting the user’s personal data, the thief’s data are also destroyed.

This security solution is currently available for HP notebooks only and has yet to be tested on other brands.

Razo said the application is primarily designed for notebooks but it can also be used for desktop PCs. However, when used for desktop PCs, Razo said not all the components of the PC can be erased.

HP said users need to avail of a $200 to $300 subscription per year to avail of this solution.

With the increasing cases of laptop theft, this new innovation gives a sense of security for users and provides them maximum control over their storage devices.

Razo said they are looking into improving the application more to provide better service to end-users.